During the opening weeks of practice, four pitchers were vying for Austin’s two starting jobs.

Wednesday, April 12, 2000

During the opening weeks of practice, four pitchers were vying for Austin’s two starting jobs.

After two scrimmages, Amy Kelly had asserted herself as Coach Todd Waterbury’s No. 1 choice.

On Tuesday, in the Packers regular season opener at Faribault, Kelly, a freshman, left little doubt as to why she’s ready for the key role. Kelly went the distance, allowing three hits in Austin’s 5-1 win.

She walked five and struck out 10.

"It’s a good start," said Waterbury, who was particularly impressed by Kelly’s second inning, in which she allowed a single, then a walk before striking out the side. "It’s nice to see she has the ability to get herself out of trouble."

Kelly also struck out the side in a perfect first inning.

Like it did during last season’s run to the state tournament, Austin’s defense played flawlessly behind Kelly and didn’t commit an error.

On offense, the Packers took awhile to figure out Faribault starter Rachel Fitzgerald. They finally got on the board by plating three runs in the fifth and one each in the sixth and seventh.

"It took us awhile to get our timing down," Waterbury said. "We started to figure her out the third and fourth times through the lineup."

Sara Turvey and Lauren Feller each collected two of Austin’s eight hits. Feller delivered the key blow of the game in Austin’s two-out fifth inning rally.

Tiffany Poirier started the three-run rally by getting hit by a pitch. After a Turvey bunt single, Jamie Nieland singled, scoring Poirier.

Turvey later scored on a passed ball and Nieland came home when Feller laced a double to left field.

Austin hosts Owatonna on Thursday at 4 p.m. Megan Seibel will get the start for the Packers.